Kung Fu & Tai Chi

History

The Origins of Wah Lum ®

The Wah Lum Tam Tui Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu System has a deep rooted history with an important lineage.

Grandmaster Lee Kwan Shan

In the early 1900’s an already accomplished martial artist by the name of Grandmaster Lee Kwan Shan entered into the Wah Lum Monastery of Ping To district in Shantung province. There he committed himself to an arduous ten year discipleship in the Praying Mantis system.

When Grandmaster Lee left the temple he traveled widely, eventually settling down at Shajing village in Canton province. It was here that he combined his Praying Mantis style with his own family system, the Tam Tui (seeking leg) style. Lee Kwan Shan’s style was noted for his long fist forms, spear and pole techniques, and whirling broadsword skills. Before his death in 1948 Lee accepted his youngest and last disciple, Pui Chan.

Master Chan Wan Ching

Master Chan Wan Ching was Master Pui Chan’s older Kung Fu brother, who continued to teach him the Wah Lum Sytem after Lee Kwan Shan died. He was the first president of the Hong Kong Wah Lum Kung Fu Association.

Grandmaster Pui Chan

Grandmaster Pui Chan (currently the Grandmaster of Wah Lum Kung Fu Association) studied with Lee Kwan Shan and then continued to learn and train with his older Kung Fu brother Chan Wan Ching making him the sixth generation master of Wah Lum. He is also a 33rd generation disciple of the Shaolin Temple, and the first person to begin taking large tours to visit the Shaolin Temple.

In 1980, Grandmaster Chan built a Kung Fu Temple in Orlando, Florida. Calling it the Wah Lum Temple, he allows students from all over the country to live there and undertake intensive Kung Fu training in an atmosphere free of distractions. Grandmaster Chan has done this in order to preserve the traditional ways of Kung Fu training, and to provide an atmosphere of serenity and sincerity in the modern world.

Grandmaster Chan has been featured in magazines and documentaries for his revered style and prowess in the martial arts industry. Some of his features include the Discovery Channel’s Secret of the Warrior’s Power, Living Legends of Kung Fu (Vol. I), Warrior Within – Inside the Martial Arts, and various interviews and articles with Kung Fu Magazine, Inside Kung Fu, and Journal of Chinese Martial Arts. Grandmaster Chan has also received honors such as Instructor of the Year and Martial Artist of the Year by Inside Kung Fu Magazine and Black Belt Magazine. He is a 2003 inductee to the US Kuoshu Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Recognized and esteemed by many, Grandmaster Chan has been an integral part of contributing martial arts knowledge to the world. Through all his endeavors and accomplishments, most important to him are his love for his family, his pride in his students, and his whole-hearted practice of his system’s motto of integrating respect, kindness, fellowship, and strength in martial arts. You will always hear him say, “It’s not just a job, but a way of life.”

Sifu Mimi Chan

Mimi Chan began her martial arts training under her father, Grandmaster Chan Pui, at the age of 3. By the age of 5 she was already performing in local exhibitions. At 17, she won her first of many Grand Championship titles. Now retired from competition, Mimi is currently undefeated.

At a young age Mimi began performing on stage at various exhibitions around the world. Along with live performances she entered the movie world when she was chosen as the model and martial arts video reference for Disney’s animated feature, Mulan. She briefly worked in Hollywood doing stunt work and making small television appearances. In 2011, she decided to return to the film world and take on the endeavor of making a documentary about her father’s life. She found joy doing work behind the camera and capturing the story of her father, a true artist and pioneer on film. She produced and directed her first documentary: Pui Chan: Kung Fu Pioneer. The film won 10 awards at film festivals around the country and screened throughout North America to sold out audiences.

A University of Central Florida Graduate, Mimi is currently the Chief Instructor at the Wah Lum Temple. She continues to strive to spread the spirit of martial arts and the Wah Lum System. She follows the footsteps of her father by dedicating her life to teaching and training at the Wah Lum Kung Fu Temple.

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